Major review into rules on officers carrying guns to be conducted amid growing
public outcry

Controversial rules that allow Scottish policemen to carry guns to everyday incidents will be formally reviewed, it was announced yesterday

The move comes just days after Kenny MacAskill, the justice minister, waved away opposition calls for a full review amid growing outcry over the policy.

Mr MacAskill was widely derided by opponents last week for failing to go further after telling MSPs the Scottish public "understands and accepts" the need for some policemen to carry guns.

In a surprise move, it was revealed HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) will carry out a review while the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) will undertake a "scrutiny inquiry" of the practice.

The announcement comes after months of mounting pressure with officers across Scotland photographed carrying loaded guns in supermarkets and other everyday environments.

The Scottish Government has insisted just a small number of policeman are armed at any one time and put in place procedures to ensure ministers are informed if the practice becomes routine.

However campaigners and opposition parties have expressed outrage that the public were never consulted on the issue when Scotland's single police force was created last year.

Derek Penman, HM Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, said the review would be an "objective professional assessment" on whether Police Scotland has followed "relevant guidance" on armed officers.

He added that while Police Scotland had requested the review, it would be "independent" with a "remit and scope" to bring about conclusions that will "strengthen public confidence in policing".

The HMICS review will be provided to the SPA in time for consideration at its public meeting on October 29. The SPA inquiry will then draw together both its own evidence and that from the HMICS review, reporting overall findings and recommendations on December 17.

Scottish politicians from the UK-wide parties welcomed the announcement but attacked the SNP administration for failing to act sooner on public concern over the matter.

Mr MacAskill last week announced Police Scotland's chief constable would in future have to inform him if the number of officers with standing firearms authority routinely exceeds 2 per cent of all officers. However the minister ignored calls for a full review.

Patrick Harvie, Green MSP, said: "The police do need to deploy firearms in response to serious incidents, but the sight of armed police on our streets while carrying out routine duties has alarmed many Scots and we deserve to know why it happened and why our communities were not consulted.

"To date the Justice Secretary has brushed this issue off as an operational matter but I believe there is a strong case for ministers being held to account on this dramatic change in our policing culture.

Mr MacAskill said: "I welcome this announcement by the Scottish Police Authority and HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland about their complementary reviews of this issue.

He added: "Whilst decisions on the use of resources, including armed police officers, are clearly a matter for the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, it is important there is appropriate oversight to ensure transparency in decision making and to reassure the public and Parliament.